Verdict
At RM1,131,800 versus RM873,888, the Lotus Emira asks RM257,912 more for a far narrower job: two seats, a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and 1,405 kg. It is quicker to 100 km/h too, at 4.3 seconds against 5.0 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe answers like a daily Malaysian luxury weapon, with 5 seats, 655 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive, 560 Nm, a 0.9 kWh hybrid battery and RM1,638 annual road tax instead of RM4,182. This is heart versus household use.
Pick the Lotus Emira if you want the lighter, faster, manual rear-drive sports car and can live with 2 seats and 151 litres of boot space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe if you need real family space, stronger torque, more driver assistance and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira RM1,131,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe RM873,888
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Emira 4.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe 5.0 seconds
- Output: Lotus Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe 429 hp and 560 Nm
- Transmission/driveline: Lotus Emira 6-speed manual RWD; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe 9G-Tronic AWD
- Practicality: Lotus Emira 2 seats and 151 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe 5 seats and 655 litres
- Road tax: Lotus Emira RM4,182/year; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe RM1,638/year
Emira
- Quicker 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Much lighter at 1,405 kg versus 2,325 kg
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and hydraulic power steering
- Costs RM257,912 more
- Only 2 seats and 151 litres of boot space
- Fewer assistance and convenience items, with warning-only lane keeping and no 360-degree camera
AMG GLE Coupe
- Cheaper by RM257,912
- 5 seats and 655 litres of boot space
- 560 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic
- Slower to 100 km/h at 5.0 seconds
- Much heavier at 2,325 kg
- No manual gearbox and electric power steering instead of hydraulic
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,131,800 | RM873,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Electric Compressor, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 400 hp | 429 hp✓ |
| Torque | 420 Nm | 560 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 0.9 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Six-speed Manual | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 6 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.3 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 4,939 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 2,010 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,935 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 2,325 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 65 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 151 litres | 655 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 285/40ZR22 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 325/35ZR22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Yokohama Advan Sport V107 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable with Memory, Massage, Heating and Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Control and 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound System (590 W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Automatic Front Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | No | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM1,638✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emira & AMG GLE Coupe for sale
Emira vs AMG GLE Coupe FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe better?
The Lotus Emira is better as a focused sports car: lighter, manual and quicker to 100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe is better for daily use, with 5 seats, 655 litres of boot space, AWD and more assistance kit.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira costs RM1,131,800, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe costs RM873,888. That makes the Lotus RM257,912 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe is cheaper on annual road tax at RM1,638. The Lotus Emira’s 3,456 cc supercharged V6 is rated at RM4,182 per year.